Black tie requires a dress or suit for women, or a coordinated two piece. It should ideally be floor length but it doesn't need to be—dresses shorter than the ankle can be appropriate if they're of an appropriately formal cut and fabrication. Embellishments, trains and a figure-hugging fits are all encouraged.
Black tie dress code
Also referred to as Evening Dress, Black Tie is the most popular formal event dress code and calls for a dinner suit or tuxedo (in single or double breasted) with contrast silk lapels and a bow tie. You cannot simply wear a black business suit.
Traditional Black Tie for Women
Black-tie attire for women traditionally indicated a floor-length gown in a formal fabric, like silk charmeuse, chiffon, or Mikado, embellished with Alencon lace, embroidery, or crystals, says Avrumson. "The silhouette can be anything between a sheath and a ballgown," she says.
While cocktail dresses can be appropriate, black tie dress code typically calls for floor-length dresses or gowns. Black tie for women generally translates to “long.” Long dresses are more of an elevated choice than a cocktail dress.
A suit alone won't cut it at a black tie wedding. A tuxedo or smoking jacket is required — generally in black, though more modern takes allow for navy, white, and dark grey. The jacket should have contrast lapels and you can choose to add an optional cummerbund.
The only real color that's off-limits as a wedding guest is white, but there are some color schemes that work best for black tie weddings. "Most guests will stick to darker hues like burgundy, black, navy and gray.
As for colors, all colors are fair game except for white, off-white, or anything else that's even close to white. Apart from that, the only hue you might want to avoid is the color the bride has chosen for her bridesmaid dresses.
Let's point out the obvious first: black tie event calls for formal attire. This means that casual or semi-formal clothing is strictly inappropriate. For gentlemen, leave your casual business suit at home, and definitely don't wear slacks paired with a blazer.
All About Florals
Florals will always be in style and they make a great pattern for wedding black tie dresses.
For a formal event, a full-length gown is the standard. Anything that hits above the knee would be a cocktail dress better worn to a semi-formal event. With that said, you can get away with a dress that doesn't graze the floor, but to look appropriate for the formal occasion, go for calf-length or longer.
There's one instance when you should feel extra confident wearing black to a wedding, and that's when it's a black tie wedding, or a wedding with a formal dress code - a black, full-length gown fits effortlessly with this aesthetic.
Black tie events are formal affairs that require you to be suitably dressed. You should't wear casual clothing such as jeans, T-shirts, shorts, jumpers and trainers. It's also best to avoid suits that aren't black (or dark blue) and patterned ties or shirts.
Unless you have to color-coordinate with the rest of the wedding party, you have a free range of options when it comes to the color of your dress. However, you might not want to wear bright floral print or overly bright pattern dresses as these are often more casual than a black tie optional event entails.
"Jewel tones and sparkly fabrics are absolutely acceptable for black-tie weddings." To ensure your colorful outfit fits the bill, choose longer hemlines, fancier fabrics, and more formal-looking attire overall.
While a black-tie wedding event requires you to dress up, you don't need to take it as seriously as a red-carpet event. A full-length dress or a fancy cocktail dress will be just fine. Avoid black and white dresses and stick to colours such as navy, champagne or prints.
Don't be afraid to try other colours or even different textures like metallic fabric, sequins or beading that will add extra glamour to your ensemble. For black tie wedding dress codes, be mindful of the colour of your dress and opt for rich tones of red, navy or soft pinks.
Unless otherwise specified on the invitation, 'black tie' in general permits any length, so midi and even shorter styles, within reason, are acceptable. But, given the formality, showing a lot of skin might draw stares from other guests. Midi-to-full hemlines are your safest (and chicest) bet.
If the event is in the evening, which is the most common time for a black tie event, always opt for dark colours such as black, navy and dark burgundy. The nature of any event changes when it is in the evening. In this case, always keep it formal with dark colours to exude elegance.
Black tie for men generally means a tuxedo comprised of a dinner jacket; often black (or more recently, a deep midnight blue), trousers, formal white shirt, an optional waistcoat or cummerbund, bow tie and formal black shoes.
A tuxedo should be your first choice, but if you want to wear a suit instead, a black-tie event typically means wearing—you guessed it—a plain black necktie or bow tie. For those wearing a dress, a full-length evening gown is the norm.
Down hairstyles for black tie events
If you'd rather keep your locks long and loose, there are still a few ways you can make the look a little more formal. A loose wave or a blowout is a classic choice, but if you're able, why not go and get it professionally styled?
Another important aspect of your appearance for a black-tie event is your hair and makeup. You will want to make sure that your hair is styled and that your makeup is applied flawlessly. Your hair and makeup should be elegant and sophisticated for a black-tie event. Think updo's, smoky eyes, and nude lips.
Black Tie. Black Tie usually indicates an evening wedding where men wear tuxedos with black bow tie and women wear formal floor-length gowns. Black tie does not mean you must wear black. However, traditionally men would wear a bow tie and black tuxedo.
"While black tie doesn't necessarily mean you have to wear a full-length gown, if you've been waiting for the right opportunity, now is your chance. If you choose to wear something that doesn't go all the way to the floor, an appropriate length is something a little below the knee."
Tips for styling yourself for a black-tie optional wedding:
Wear a full-length or mid-length dress. Short dresses won't match the formal vibes. Wear dark or rich hues like black, gray, navy, or jewel tones. When in doubt, stick to solid colors, since patterns can sometimes feel too casual.